Two million dollars in upgrades are on the way for the Frankfort Municipal Airport. WLFI/File Photo

FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) – Two million dollars in upgrades are on the way for the Frankfort Municipal Airport.

Sitting on 162 acres, the Frankfort Municipal Airport has served the community for more than five decades. After receiving strong backing all around, upgrades are set for take off.

“Just talking to people on the street, they’ve been very excited about this,” Frankfort-Clinton County Airport Authority President Alan Dunn said.

The Adrian Marks Airport Terminal will feature a two-floor terminal and hangar. The terminal area will include a 650-square-foot meeting space for airport board and public usage.

On the second floor, four office rooms will be available for future tenants. The hangar will be designed to not only house planes, but serve as an event center with a full service kitchen.

Dunn said overall, he hopes to see the airport boost economic development.

“You get the biggest bang for your assessed-value buck by getting a business to locate to your community, and we’ve seen this airport be instrumental already in a number of businesses that have chosen to locate here,” said Dunn.

Mayor Chris McBarnes said along with attracting new business, the airport plays a crucial role in stabilizing existing business.

“This is an important step forward for this small little burg, in really planning into the 21st century and saying, ‘Hey we’re here, we’re open for business and we’re ready for more jobs,'” said McBarnes.

Dunn said 80 percent of the project will be financed through loans, with the rest paid in cash from the airport authority.

As far as a timeline, bidding is expected to open in December. Dunn hopes to break ground next spring and have the building open by next winter.

“It’s a great step forward in terms of creating new jobs in our city, and I think it will be something that our community will be very proud of when it’s finished,” McBarnes said.